AN ADVENTUROUS VOYAGE.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 3521, 10 March 1897, Page 3

AN ADVENTUROUS VOYAGE.

The steamer Richmond, from Rarotonga, brings particulars of tbe voyage of the native schooner Takitumu. It will be remembered that tbe schooner left Rarotonga fo- Penrybn, on June 22nd last, and for seven months was never heard of, being, in fact, given up for lost. It appears that soon after leaving Rarotonga the vessel felt into a belt of calms and for 32 days could do nothing, but drift about tbe Pacific. At length a light breeze sprang up, and the island of Nukunono shortly hove in sight. They reached Peoryhn on November 10th, where the cargo was landed intact. Throughout the trying voyage the crew were never short of food, nor did they at any time lose their position. On November 21st they set sail for Rarotonga, but once out to Bea, provoking calms again prevailed. The crew thought that fate must be against them. However, when about 140 miles south-west of Ramtonga, they met the Charles B. Kenny, bound from San Francisco to Melbourne. The schooner was then 60 days ont, and short of provisions and water, the latter having given out a week before the barque was fallen in with. The kanakas, however, treated the matter very stoically, and did not consider they were in any straits. The master of the schooner —himself a kanaka—had no idea of the schooner's position but believed he would fetch Rarotonga all right. Captain PeterBon gave him his sailing directions and also supplied provisions and water. After this a breeze sprang up and then the island hove in sight on the 14th December. But trouble again met them as the sails were in such a dilapidated state that the little vessel could make no progress, and a boat was sent ashore acquainting the people with their pitiable state. Sails were procured and sent out to ber, and on the 16th she entered the harbour of Ngatangiia. A great feast and thanksgiving was held by the natives to celebrate their homecoming.